NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Forge’s Fierce Network, a mega portal to meet the needs of decision makers throughout the global communications industry, today announced the finalists for the 2026 Fierce Network Innovation Awards. This program honors the groundbreaking technologies, transformative solutions, and visionary leaders accelerating the evolution of global connectivity. Spanning more than 20 categories, this year’s finalists reflect the extraordinary pace of innovation across the communications ecosystem, from AI-powered network automation and next-generation broadband to cloud infrastructure, network security and digital inclusion. The awards spotlight the organizations and individuals tackling the industry’s most pressing challenges, advancing operational efficiency, improving customer experiences and creating new opportunities for growth.
"The pace of innovation across the network industry has never been more exciting, and this year's finalists demonstrate just how rapidly the landscape is evolving," said Elizabeth Coyne, Editor in Chief of Fierce Network. "From AI-driven network intelligence and automation to breakthroughs in broadband infrastructure and connectivity, these companies and leaders are delivering solutions with real-world impact. We're proud to recognize the innovators pushing boundaries, solving complex challenges and helping define what's next for the industry."
Introducing the 2026 Finalists
The 2026 Fierce Network Innovation Awards recognize excellence across the following categories:
Access Network Innovation (Wireline & FWA)
- DOCSIS® 4.0 3 GHz Extended Spectrum Specification by CableLabs
- FTTU: XGS-PON Fiber-to-the-Unit Access by Internet Subway
- Permit Validation Automation by Techwave Consulting Inc.
- Pole Loading & Make-Ready Engineering (MRE) Tools by Techwave Consulting Inc.
- TITAN 6000 FWA CPE by Global Telcom Engineering
- Vecima Entra® vCMTS by Vecima Networks
AI in Live Telecom Networks
- JioBrain by Jio Platforms Ltd.
- Netcracker Agentic AI Solution
- NOSSIS Genius DeepVision for Field Operations
- Plume Platform: AI-Native Network Intelligence and Orchestration
- Rakuten Mobile Network E2E Performance & Capacity Solution
- Spectrum AI by Federated Wireless
AI-Driven Customer Experience
- 1NCE Insights: AI-Powered Intelligence for IoT Operations
- All West Fiber x Quesee AI – Customer Experience & Retention Analytics
- Cisco IQ
- Netcracker Agentic AI Solution
- Netcracker Intelligent Customer Experience
- Plume Platform: Agentic AI Customer Experience Orchestration
AI-RAN Innovation
- Amdocs Cognitive RAN
- ECHO (Enhanced Channel Insight with Holographic Observability) by Cohere Technologies
- Rakuten Mobile AI-RAN Platform
- Qualcomm Dragonwing™ Agentic RAN Management Service
- Samsung's AI-Powered RAN Speed Optimizer Field Trial on KDDI's Commercial Network
- Spectrum-NET
Autonomous Network Operations
- Blue Planet, a division of Ciena
- Droma (formerly Grokstream)
- Google Cloud
- JPL’s TelOS
- Netcracker Technology
- Nile
Broadband Build of the Year
- City of Dublin, Ohio & altafiber Public Private Partnership
- Ezee Fiber, New Mexico Fiber-to-the-Home Expansion
- Lincoln County Fiber Expansion Partnership
- Kelly Digital Infrastructure workforce acceleration program
- Nextlink Internet + Tarana G2 Broadband Deployment
- WOW! Next-Generation Broadband Upgrade in Newnan, Georgia
BSS/OSS Platform Innovation
- Blue Planet, a division of CienaHORISEN Messaging Operating System (mOS)
- Kansys Edge
- Netcracker Digital Platform
- NOSSIS One - Agentic AI with MCP
- Site Management 3.0 by Rakuten Symphony
- ThinkSpec by SEAnova LLC
Data Center & AI Infrastructure Innovation
- Advanced nanoGUARD™ by actnano
- Alkira
- Butlr Heatic Sensor
- Erthos Earth Mount Solar™ Platform
- Nxera DC Tuas: Sustainable, Multi-Tenanted and AI-Ready Data Centre Infrastructure
- Rebel100™ by Rebellions
- SiTime Chorus™ Clock-System-on-a-Chip (ClkSoC) Family
Digital Inclusion & Affordability Impact
- City of Pharr, TX – Pharr Connect Community Broadband & Digital Equity Initiative
Fiber and Wireline Deployment Innovation
- AirWorks AI-Powered Broadband Infrastructure Mapping
- Boingo Fiber: First-Ever “Instant-On” Fiber-to-the-Home solution on a U.S. military base
- Broadband IQ™ Long-Haul Planner from VCTI
- ClearWay from Render Networks
- Fujikura 100R Mass Fusion Splicer by AFL
- Vecima Entra® vPON Manager™ for XGS-PON
Industrial IoT & Connected Infrastructure
- Amazon Sidewalk
- Cisco Industrial Networking
- flespi by Gurtam
- Impinj Gen2X®
- Iridium 9604
- Singtel Global IoT Connectivity
Network APIs & Programmable Networks
- Konera powered by BICS
- LF-AMP (LotusFlare API Monetization Platform)
- Lumen Connect®
- Paragon by Singtel
- Singtel Connected Intelligence
- Spectrotel Network Intelligence Center and Managed Network Services
Network Security Innovation
- Aeris IoT Watchtower®
- Antares by Cisco
- Nile
- Advanced Core Routing (ACR) by OXIO
- Singtel Unified SASE Convergence
Network Testing, Assurance & Observability
- HeliumOS: WOX (Wi-Fi Offload Experience) Gateway
- Lighthouse® from Opengear
- MetTel POTS Transformation
- NOSSIS Genius ARISE + NOSSIS Genius SENTINEL
- TruSystems® — XRComm’s Physical AI Platform
- Vecima Entra Access Test Platform and Entra Access Simulators
Private & Enterprise Wireless Innovation
- Askey SCU2080 5G Small Cell with Canoga Perkins SyncMetra
- Extreme Multi-Beam Wireless by Extreme Networks
- Plexera Private Network Exchange (PNX)
- Singtel 5G+ Mobile Workspace
- Private Wireless Network for Mining 4.0 by Star Solutions
Revenue Enablement Beyond Connectivity
- Internet Subway Managed Connectivity Revenue Model
- Netcracker Next-Generation Revenue Management Platform
- Paragon by Singtel
- The Digital Vending Machine® from Bango
- TransUnion Branded Call Display
- WiSNET® by Slice Wireless Solutions
Telecom Cloud & Edge Infrastructure
- HeliumOS
- NetLync’s Entitlements-as-a-Service® (EaaS®)
- Rakuten Cloud
- Ribbon Cloud Native Voice Security on AWS
- Singtel CUBΣ: Intelligent Cloud & Edge Infrastructure for the Physical AI Era
Tribal & Indigenous Connectivity Leadership
- BeyondReach Fixed Wireless Backhaul Network
- Resilient Satellite Broadband Connectivity for Native American Healthcare Facilities by MetTel
- Mescalero Apache Telecom - NPT Automated IP Routing from Ribbon
- Tribal Training Initiative from Clearfield
Wireless Network Innovation (Core & RAN)
- Askey SCU2080 5G Small Cell with Canoga Perkins SyncMetra
- Castanet 5G Broadcast Internet
- Nokia on Red Hat OpenShift with Everpure
- OCUDU Technical Project from The Linux Foundation
- Pulsone™ Multi-G for ISAC and NTN by Cohere Technologies
2026 Carrier of the Year
- C Spire
- Kinetic
- Ripple Fiber
- Shenandoah Telecommunications (Shentel)
- The One Plan
- Xfinity Mobile
2026 Innovation of the Year
- 864F Micro Cable 9.5 mm with 160 µm Optical Fiber by HFCL
- Alianza Crux
- Alkira – A Lumen Connect® Solution
- Droma (formerly Grok) Agentic Operations Platform
- FOSC® 550 Closure by CommScope, an Amphenol company
- MetTel POTS Transformation
2026 Innovator of the Year
- Kate Johnson, CEO, Lumen Technologies
- Matt Marino, Chief Executive Officer, Ezee Fiber
2026 Operator-Vendor Partnership of the Year
- Rakuten Mobile + 1Finity
- Samsung Networks and Verizon’s Next-Generation Technology Field Trial at Summer Soccer Fan Event
- Skylo x floLive NTN IoT Connectivity
- Taara + Liquid
- TELUS x Plume: AI-Powered Digital Care Transformation
- Wyandotte Municipal Services + Synamedia
View the complete list of finalists and learn more about the awards here.
Finalists were selected by a distinguished panel of judges, including industry experts, analysts and service providers, recognizing entries that demonstrate innovation, industry impact and the potential to transform the future of network communications.
The 2026 Fierce Network Innovation Awards winners will be announced live at Broadband Nation Expo on November 19. Those interested in attending the awards ceremony can purchase a pass by visiting broadbandnationexpo.com/register.
For more information on the awards program, visit https://awards.fierce-network.com/. For partnership inquiries, reach out to Scott Gruntorad at scott.gruntorad@forgelive.com.
About Fierce Network
The global communications, enterprise and cloud networking and infrastructure industries is converging as the separation between wireless, wireline and cloud ceases to exist while the world’s operators shift toward cloud-native, intelligent, automated networks driven by artificial intelligence. Fierce Network is tracking this sea change by delivering a mega portal of hard-hitting industry news and analysis, designed to meet the needs of today’s decision makers. Fierce Network covers artificial intelligence (AI), automation, fixed and mobile broadband, cloud infrastructure, application modernization, security and more to help readers analyze the day’s news and show them what they need to know and why they need to know it. Fierce Network also produces special reports that take stock of the industry’s services and finances and shed light on industry trends. To learn more, visit https://www.fierce-network.com.
About Forge
Forge is a leading global B2B events and media company, connecting buyers and sellers across high-value industries through live events, trusted media brands, digital products and year-round communities. Powered by first-party data, technology and deep market expertise, Forge helps businesses discover opportunities, build the right relationships and stay engaged well beyond the event itself. It is a company guided by a single purpose, Moving Markets.
For more information, visit forgelive.com.
Media Contact
Katie Williams
Fierce Network
katie.williams@forgelive.com
